the unconditional positive regard project
The upr project
teaching TRAINING
The UPR Project Teacher Training Model was developed and is facilitated by Brendan Murray, Former Executive Principal of Parkville College — Victorian Government School for children detained in custody.
Our programs provide theoretical knowledge and practical skills in areas such as the High Impact Engagement Strategies (HIES), unconditional positive regard theory, empathy, psychological safety, attachment, building trust, co-regulation and more.
Whether you require a one-off Masterclass, leadership support or a full-year whole school commitment, we can customise our professional development to suit your unique context and needs.
Example Workshop Schedule
04
03
02
01
Repair.
Engage
Authentically.
Co-Create Climate.
Build Trust.
In Workshop 4, we explore how to repair relationships after rupture, maintain connection during conflict, and uphold dignity for every student.
Repair as a restorative practice through; modelling vulnerability
genuine care and trying again.
In Workshop 3, we equip educators to stay grounded and responsive — even in the face of student resistance — through relational discipline and emotionally intelligent practice.
Themes include motivating towards change, dancing with discord, and co-regulation.
In Workshop 2, we unpack how to create psychologically safe classrooms where expectations are co-authored, behaviour is proactive, and culture is healing — not just compliant.
Themes include pragmatics, predictability and explicit behavioural expectations.
In Workshop 1, we lay the foundation for all engagement by exploring how connection, trust, and neurodevelopment shape student readiness to learn.
Themes include empathy, Unconditional Positive Regard, relationship building. Bonus content includes trauma awareness, attachment theory & the developing brain.
Meet the team
THE UPR PROJECT.
Andrew Sturgess
upr education consultant / afl coach
Andrew Sturgess is a teacher and professional sports coach by trade. He has a unique leadership and professional background having worked extensively within education and high performance sport.
Andrew’s work and philosophies towards education and leadership were formed from his time spent as an educational leader at Parkville College, a Victorian Government School that delivers education to children detained in the juvenile justice precincts in Victoria.
Andrew understands how to manage challenging behaviour through various therapeutic and trauma-informed strategies while maintaining unconditional positive regard, empathy, inclusivity and psychological safety within educational and high performance sport environments.
Andrew is a current Development Coach for the Fremantle Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL).
Having been involved in elite high performance environments for more than 15 years as both an educator, player and a coach, Andrew builds the capacity of leaders within schools, sports teams and other organisations by applying the traits of high performance teams by fostering a culture of a human centred approach.
ANDREW IN THE MEDIA
Creating a safe environment for peak performance, The Footy Coach Podcast
December 6th, 2023
Brendan Murray
upr EDUCATION CONSULTANT / article 26 consulting
Brendan Murray is an educationalist, a justice advocate and a human rights proponent with a particular interest in inclusive schools, education directed to the full development of the human personality and justice systems that accord its prisoners with respect and dignity for betterment of its society.
Brendan has most recently worked as the founding Executive Principal of Parkville College, a Victorian Government School for all children and young people detained in custody in Victoria.
Brendan has previously worked as a Senior Policy Advisor for the Victorian Government within the Youth Partnerships Secretariat and he was the Principal for the pioneering Pavilion School in Melbourne's northern suburbs. Brendan also worked a leader in the community services areas of multiple and complex needs, criminal justice, psychiatric disability rehabilitation, youth residential care and homeless and street outreach services.
Brendan was awarded the Victorian Education Excellence Award for the Outstanding Secondary Teacher of 2009 and the Australian Federal Closing the Gap Award of 2009 for strengthening relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. In 2014 he was recognised by Monash University as the Education Faculty's Distinguished Alumni.
BRENDAN IN THE MEDIA
School Behind Bars
The Age
March 23, 2013
Too many children are excluded from the school system
The Age
Written by Brendan Murray
March 2, 2018